The Maple Leafs have another three-day break between games, but there is no break from the constant reminder of their five-game winless streak and how it has weakened their hold on a playoff berth.

During that skid, the team still collected points in two of the five games and played well enough to win against Boston but played troubled hockey in two encounters with the Winnipeg Jets.

So while media and fans raise concerns, the Leafs believe they will make the playoffs and not repeat last year’s February-March collapse that shredded their playoff hopes and dropped them to 13th in the Eastern Conference.

But the winless skid has eroded the points cushion they built with a tremendous start to this truncated lockout season.

The Leafs remain three points up on the Rangers and Flyers, but those powerhouse teams are expected to overcome their rough and make strong pushes for the playoffs.

Essentially, the Leafs still need 24 points to reach the 55-point plateau that is generally accepted as the threshold for a playoff berth. They have 19 games left to achieve that point.

And with Joffrey Lupul back from injury and looking sensational, the roster received the equivalent of a marquee trade or free agent signing. And Lupul is playing on the so-called third line with Nazem Kadri, which gives the Leafs three bona fide scoring lines and a solid fourth with Jay McClement, Colton Orr and Leo Komarov or Frazer McLaren.

Here’s a look at three ways they can break their slump and bolster their drive for a playoff berth:

Goaltending

Give James Reimer the task of leading the team over the remainder of the schedule.

Both Reimer and Ben Scrivens have improved this season. But the season is now at a desperate stage, and every team in the Eastern Conference seems to have elevated its game.

It’s debatable, but giving Reimer the task of being the Leafs defacto No. 1 goalie could pay off; for certain, it would allow Reimer to build confidence himself. It would allow the club to see if he is indeed No. 1 material, and if not, then it confirms an item on their off-season shopping list.

Scrivens has been a solid backup, and when he logs back-to-back shutouts as he did in January, it prompts talk that the club should go with him. At the same time, there is no real harm in going with the 1a-1b plan coach Randy Carlyle has installed this season.

Time to trade?

Corey Perry’s name is the name that has surfaced on talk surrounding the Leafs with regards to trade or off-season moves.

But another name making the rounds around the Leafs is Mike Ribeiro, a top-six centre.

The Leafs are said to be interested in adding a centre and a top-four defenceman.

The question remains, though, is what advantage would Ribeiro bring.

The Leafs, who have several key contract situations coming up, may want to see if this current roster, bolstered by Lupul’s return, can deliver a playoff berth.

A veteran defenceman appears to be a possibility. But the club also has nine NHL-capable defenceman, with Jake Gardiner waiting in the wings with the AHL’s Marlies.

It’s possible another move will be made to clear up room on the roster. But the reality is the Leafs look more and more like they will drive for a playoff berth with the current roster.

No more excuses

Toronto will be hard-pressed to hang onto a playoff berth if it allows defensive coverage lapses to continue.

They must prevent disasters like that four-goal second period Saturday night against Winnipeg. Good teams, playoff teams, manage those blips down to a goal or two at most. Toronto has to start looking like a playoff team defensively; it certainly has the offensive weapons to make a serious post-season bid.

“It’s a mindset that’s got to change in our group, because you’re not going to have success . . . you’re not going to even be able to get points if you’re going to have speed bumps like those within the game,” Carlyle said.

“I think we just have to take responsibility and look ourselves in the mirror and say, ‘hey, this can’t be happening to this hockey club.’ It’s mystifying to everybody.”

Leadership certainly plays a role in limiting the damage when those lapses surface. The Leafs have a quality coaching staff and enough leadership; Lupul should also elevate that dynamic.

But it’s time to see that leadership at work. The Leafs, after all the good work they’ve done this season, must still re-define themselves as an air-tight defensive group, one that won’t crumble with a lead, and one that limits the damage when the opposition has a strong forecheck.

More on thestar.com

We value respectful and thoughtful discussion. Readers are encouraged to flag comments that fail to meet the standards outlined in our
Community Code of Conduct.
For further information, including our legal guidelines, please see our full website
Terms and Conditions.